The immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has asked the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, to transfer his trial in an alleged money laundering case to Lokoja. Bello stated that he preferred to be arraigned in Lokoja, where the alleged offence was committed.
At a resumed sitting on Thursday, Bello, represented by his counsel, Adeola Adedipe SAN, informed Justice Emeka Nwite that a letter requesting the transfer of the trial had already been delivered to the Chief Judge for his administrative decision.
Adedipe specifically mentioned that the request for Lokoja was due to the Federal High Court’s territorial jurisdiction to hear the matter there. The legal team of the former Kogi Governor is still awaiting the response of the Chief Judge on the transfer request.
“Although the letter requesting the transfer of this matter to Lokoja was written by Yahaya Bello’s lead counsel, Abdulwahab Mohammed SAN, I am under obligation to draw the attention of this honourable court to the issue,” Adedipe said.
Adedipe noted that the Prosecution had been notified and their opinion sought via a letter dated June 14, 2024, from the Chief Judge’s office. The letter, addressed to EFCC Counsel Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, was signed by the Special Assistant to the Chief Judge, Joshua Ibrahim Aji, Esq.
“You will find attached the copy of a letter by Counsel to the Defendant on the above subject matter, dated June 10, 2024. I am directed by His Lordship, the Honourable Chief Judge, to forward the letter to you for your response within six (6) days of receipt,” the letter read in part.
However, the request for transfer was vehemently opposed by the EFCC lead counsel, Dr. Kemi Pinheiro SAN, who described the request as an attempt to frustrate the trial. The EFCC lawyer pleaded with Justice Nwite to hold Adeola Adedipe SAN and Abdulwahab Mohammed SAN responsible for their inability to produce their client in court, despite the undertakings they made. The EFCC lawyer also requested that the two SANs be cited for contempt of court.
Meanwhile, the court has fixed July 17 for the arraignment of the former Governor and for ruling on the EFCC’s request to cite the SANs for contempt.
